FCC Plans Leaner Staff, Possible FM Auctions in Budget Request
The FCC's fiscal year 2027 budget request, submitted to Congress late last week, points to two developments broadcast radio operators should watch: the possible return of FM construction permit auctions and a continued reduction in Commission headcount.
Destined to Fail?
(Mike McVay)The station changes format. A beloved, longtime talent leaves a major daypart. A competitor encroaches on your format. These things all negatively impact the opportunity to build or maintain an audience. Yet the expectation for performance remains.
The 18-Inch Gap That A.I. Cannot Cross
(John Shomby) Artificial Intelligence is here. Not coming. Not evolving. Here. And like every major shift before it — the internet, smartphones, streaming — it’s getting better, faster, and easier by the day. New platforms, new tools, new capabilities. But there’s one place it will never go.
NABLF Vegas Mixer To Let Employers TAP Into New Hiring Pool
NABLF and NAB Pilot have teamed up to host their second mixer for this year’s Technology Apprentice Program on the Saturday of NAB Show 2026, connecting emerging broadcast talent to engineering and technology opportunities across the industry.
Borrell Details Radio Gains as All Other Legacy Media Slides
Something is working in radio that isn't working anywhere else in legacy media. Revenue is growing, and the answer, according to new analysis from Borrell Associates, comes down to a bet most stations are only beginning to make. Yet the good news comes with a warning.
There Is A Strong Next Chapter
(Lisa Fields) Change is one of those things nobody asks for, but it has a funny way of leading to something better. Even if it takes a minute to feel that way. Any kind of transition around layoffs is never easy, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of uncertainty and frustration.
Marketron Expands Traffic as a Service for Broadcasters
(Sponsored) As staffing challenges grow and workflows become more complex, broadcasters are choosing new traffic management models that ensure continuity, maintain accuracy, and support revenue operations without requiring additional internal resources.
How To Be The One Seller Who Looks Deeper
(Loyd Ford) There’s a quiet truth in radio that too many sellers ignore: The most valuable accounts are often the ones no one is calling on. Competition crowds obvious categories like auto, furniture, and healthcare. Real opportunity lives in the unassigned and the misunderstood.
You’re The Winner!
(Steve Allan) Last week, Radio Ink cited NuVoodoo’s Ratings Prospects 2026 study of listener behavior. One of the big takeaways was that listener interest in radio contests has spiked over the last year. As reported, economic uncertainty is likely a root cause for this.
AWM Breakfast at NAB Show Eyes Broadcasting Under Pressure
Before NAB Show proper opens in earnest, the Alliance for Women in Media is setting the tone at its annual Monday morning AWM Breakfast. This year's panel, "Riding the Rollercoaster: Leading Through Tumultuous Times," promises frank discussion.
Our Print Magazine: Radio Ink
Lifetime Leadership Award Honoree Harvey Nagler
The $250 Question: Inflation and Contesting
